STYLISH BARBADIAN?batsman Kirk Edwards has received a maiden call up to the West Indies senior squad for the five-match One Day International Series and Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka.
But there is no place once again for his compatriots, Ryan Hinds and Tino Best, two of the stand-out players in last month’s West Indies 50-over competition in Jamaica.
Hinds, the 29-year-old Barbados captain, has not played in an ODI since he was part of the triumphant Champions Trophy team in England in 2004.
He was the leading wicket-taker in the regional one-day competition with 14 scalps while Best was the fastest and most penetrative pacer on show with ten wickets at an impressive average of 10.10 in only 21.5 overs.
The West Indies selectors also opted not to call up 34-year-old opener Dale Richards, who performed commendably against South Africa in the last One-Day series by the West?Indies earlier this year when he hit two half-centuries in four matches while averaging 39.25.
Right-hander Edwards, 26, is one of four players who will join the squad presently playing in the three match Test Series.
Apart from Edwards, who has scored 813 runs in 33 List A matches at an avearge of 31.26 with one century and three 50s, big-hitting all rounder Kieron Pollard, left-arm spinner Nikita Miller and fast bowler Ravi Rampaul, who managed a mere three wickets in four ODIs against the Proteas at 69 runs apiece, have also been called up.
They will replace Test vice-captain Brendan Nash, wicketkeeper Devon Thomas, fast bowler Nelon Pascal and off-spinner Shane Shillingford.
Darren Sammy, appointed Test captain, will also lead the Limited Overs side but no vice-captain has been named.
Jamaican fast bowling all-rounder Andre Russell, currently on the Test tour, has also be retained for his first senior ODI outing.
New selector Courtney Browne, who is with the Test squad, said that the series would be a crucial one for the regional side.
“This will be a very important series for us as we look ahead to the ICC Cricket World Cup, which will be played in the subcontinent in a few months. These are the last ODIs before the World Cup, so we expect the players to make the most of the opportunities,” Browne said.
There was also no room in the 15-member squad for the experienced Ramnaresh Sarwan.
FULL SQUAD:
Darren Sammy (captain), Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kirk Edwards, Chris Gayle, Nikita Miller, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Devon Smith
Limited Overs schedule
December 9: 1st ODI at Suriyawewa Stadium, Hambantota
December 11: 2nd ODI at Suriyawewa Stadium, Hambantota
December 15: 3rd ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
December 17: 4th ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
December 19: 5th ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
December 21: T20 International at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
